The New York Mets just made a major move to solidify the back end of their bullpen, landing former All-Star closer Devin Williams on a three-year deal worth north of $50 million. It’s a bold swing by David Stearns, the Mets’ head of baseball operations, and one that reunites him with a familiar face from his Milwaukee days.
This signing comes on the heels of Ryan Helsley inking a two-year deal with the Orioles, and it marks another significant shift in the late-inning relief market. For the Mets, it signals a clear direction: they’re ready to turn the page from Edwin Díaz and hand the ninth inning to a guy who, for several years, was one of the most dominant relievers in baseball.
Let’s talk about that dominance. From 2020 through 2024, Williams was nearly untouchable in Milwaukee.
Over 228 appearances, he posted a jaw-dropping 1.70 ERA, backed by a 2.24 FIP and an eye-popping 14.6 strikeouts per nine innings. His signature changeup - the "Airbender" - became one of the most unhittable pitches in the sport.
He wasn’t just a closer; he was a weapon.
But 2025 told a different story.
After being traded to the Yankees last winter, Williams struggled to find his footing in the Bronx. His ERA ballooned to a career-worst 4.79 across 67 appearances.
On the surface, that’s a red flag. But dig a little deeper, and the picture changes.
His FIP (2.68) and xERA (3.11) suggest he pitched far better than the ERA indicates. He still struck out over 13 batters per nine innings, and the advanced metrics remained bullish on his stuff.
In other words: the underlying performance was still there - the results just didn’t follow.
Stearns clearly believes in the bounce-back. And if anyone knows what Williams is capable of, it’s him.
The two were together in Milwaukee during Williams’ rise to elite status, and this deal shows Stearns is betting on a return to form. With Díaz likely on the way out - expect him to be wearing a different uniform in 2026 - Williams now becomes the presumptive closer in Queens.
As for the Cubs, hopes of a reunion between Williams and his former manager Craig Counsell are officially off the table. Chicago had been loosely linked to bullpen upgrades, but Williams heading to New York shuts that door.
That said, the Cubs are still in the market. They’ve already added veteran righty Phil Maton on a two-year deal - their first multi-year commitment to a reliever since Craig Kimbrel back in 2019 - and they’re not done yet.
Chicago’s bullpen still has holes to fill, with Brad Keller, Caleb Thielbar, and Drew Pomeranz all hitting free agency. Keep an eye on names like Pete Fairbanks as the Winter Meetings approach. The Cubs have money to spend and a clear need in the late innings.
Meanwhile, the Dodgers - fresh off another World Series title - are expected to be active as well. Their bullpen investments last offseason didn’t exactly pan out.
Tanner Scott’s four-year, $72 million deal went sideways quickly, and Kirby Yates played only a limited role down the stretch. With Williams off the board, the Dodgers will likely pivot to other high-leverage arms.
But for now, it’s the Mets making the noise. In a winter where bullpen arms are flying off the shelves, they’ve landed one of the biggest names. If Williams returns to form, this could be one of the offseason's most impactful signings - not just for the Mets, but for the entire National League.